Tag: Afghanistan

Debutant spinner Manav Suthar took three wickets to dent Afghanistan’s reply after India declared their innings on 564-8 in their one-off Test on Sunday.

Afghanistan were 113-5 at stumps on day two after Suthar had Afsar Zazai caught and bowled for three.

Rahmat Shah was unbeaten on 43, with Afghanistan still trailing India by 451 runs at New Chandigarh.

Afghanistan pace bowler Mohammad Saleem earlier took six wickets before India ended their first innings in the second session with Washington Sundar unbeaten on 52.

A fourth-wicket stand of 169 between captain Shubman Gill, who made 126, and Rishabh Pant (81) was the highlight of the Indian innings after the hosts resumed on 368-3.

Afghanistan started on a shaky note when left-arm spinner Suthar dismissed opener Abdul Malik for 16 with his fourth ball in Test cricket on the stroke of tea.

Pace bowler Prasidh Krishna dismissed Sediqullah Atal for 17 before 23-year-old Suthar had Rahmanullah Gurbaz caught at second slip for 12.

Shah then attempted to steady the innings with Hashmatullah Shahidi, who was trapped leg before by Krishna for 20.

Saleem, 23, struck twice in the morning session and then dismissed Suthar for 28 after lunch to claim his first five-wicket haul in Tests.

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He consistently bowled at speeds above 140 km/h (86.9 mph) to impress in just his second Test.

Left-hander Sundar and Mohammed Siraj went on the attack to boost India’s total.

Siraj hammered debutant left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote for a four and two sixes in one over before he was bowled by Saleem.

Saleem earlier broke the stand between Gill and Pant when he had the Indian captain caught behind with a delivery that held its line.

Wicketkeeper Pant added 31 runs to his overnight score and was eyeing a century when he was caught at long-off while attempting a big hit off Shahidi.

Afghanistan made even harder work of it by repeatedly failing to review borderline decisions.

Gill had added just five runs to his overnight score of 103 when he was struck on the pads by pace bowler Azmatullah Omarzai.

Afghanistan did not ask for a review after Gill was given not out, but ball-tracking technology showed the delivery would have hit the leg stump.

Pant, on 54, also survived the next ball despite ball-tracking showing that Omarzai had caught a faint edge, with Afghanistan again deciding against a review.

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India have been dealt a major blow ahead of their limited-overs assignment against Afghanistan, with star batter Virat Kohli ruled out of the upcoming ODI series due to a hamstring injury, which he suffered during the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

Kohli picked up the injury during the season finale while representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) against the Gujarat Titans.

Despite visibly struggling while running between the wickets, the former India captain continued his innings and played through discomfort in a high-pressure final that saw RCB clinch their second consecutive title.

However, the effort came at a cost, with medical reports confirming a hamstring issue that has now ruled him out of international duty.

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India’s schedule against Afghanistan begins with a one-off Test in New Chandigarh from June 6 to 10, followed by a three-match ODI series between June 13 and 20, to be played across Dharamsala, Lucknow, and Chennai.

Kohli’s absence adds to India’s selection concerns, with former captain Rohit Sharma also facing a race against time to regain full fitness.

Rohit has been included in the squad but remains subject to medical clearance after sustaining an injury during the IPL season.

India ODI squad for series against Afghanistan: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer (vc), KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey.

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MUMBAI: India have appointed former all-rounder Sairaj Bahutule as spin bowling coach, the BCCI announced on Tuesday.

Bahutule played two Tests and eight ODIs for India and remained a domestic cricket stalwart with 6176 runs and 630 wickets to his name in first-class cricket.

The 53-year-old will oversee the spin department across formats, with his first assignment coming up in a few days against Afghanistan.

Sairaj Bahutule also served as the Punjab Kings spin-bowling coach in the IPL 2026 and is a richly experienced coach, having worked with numerous domestic teams.

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Following the announcement, he expressed immense pride and described it as an opportunity to nurture Indian spinners.

“Representing India as a player was a matter of immense pride, and the opportunity to contribute to Indian Cricket once again in a coaching capacity is deeply special. I look forward to working with the players and supporting the team’s pursuit of excellence across formats,” he said.

India will be playing international cricket for the first time since the T20 World Cup 2026 triumph in March.

The one-off Test against Afghanistan is scheduled to run from 6 June to 10 June at Mullanpur in New Chandigarh. The fixture will be followed by an ODI series, scheduled to begin on 13 June.

India squads for Afghanistan series

Test Squad:

Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (vc), Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Manav Suthar, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey

ODI Squad:

Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma*, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya*, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey.

Fixtures:

One-off Test – 6 June to 10 June, Mullanpur

1st ODI – 13 June, Dharamsala

2nd ODI – 17 June, Lucknow

3rd ODI – 20 June, Chennai

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KABUL: Afghanistan have named squads for the one-off Test and ODI series against India, scheduled to begin on 6 June in New Chandigarh.

Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead the side in both Tests and ODIs, with ace spinner Rashid Khan and batter Ibrahim Zadran given a rest in the longer format. Both featured in the last Test against Zimbabwe, played in October 2025.

The Test squads’ batting lineup includes Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, along with wicket-keepers Afsar Zazai and Ikram Alikhil. Azmatullah Omarzai and Sharafudin Ashraf provide all-around options.

Meanwhile, Nangyal Kharotai, Bilal Sami, and Rahmanullah Zadran are included for the first time in Afghanistan’s Test team

Qais Ahmad will lead the spin attack with pacers Bilal Sami, Zia Sharifi, and Saleem Safi providing the support.

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In the ODI squad, the ace duo of Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan bolsters a spin-heavy squad that also includes Nangyal Kharotai and AM Ghazanfar.

The ODI series will begin in Dharamsala on 14 June, followed by the remaining two fixtures in Lucknow and Chennai on 17 and 20, respectively.

Afghanistan squads for India tour

ODI: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharotai, AM Ghazanfar, Zia U Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Malik, and Bilal Sami.

Reserves: Qais Ahmad, Saleem Safi, and Bashir Ahmad.

Test: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Abdul Malik, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmanullah Zadran, Afsar Zazai (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Sharafudin Ashraf, Nangyal Kharotai, Qais Ahmad, Bilal Sami, Zia Sharifi, and Saleem Safi.

Reserves: Bashir Ahmad, Bahir Shah, and Ismat Alam.

MUMBAI: India have announced squads for the one-off Test and three-match ODI series against Afghanistan with KL Rahul replacing Rishabh Pant as vice-captain in the longer format.  

The Test will mark only the second meeting in the format between the two sides since 2018. Shubman Gill will continue to lead the side with Rahul named as his deputy.

Among the notable omissions are Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and pacer Akash Deep. Jasprit Bumrah has been rested from the Test match.

Spin bowling all-rounder Manav Suthar and fast bowler Gurnoro Brar have received their maiden call-ups, while left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey has also been included.

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Jadeja picked up a niggle at the business end of the IPL 2026, while Harhsit Rana and Akash Deep remained on the sidelines in the whole season due to injuries.

In the ODI squad, Prince Yadav, who caught eyebrows with his speed during IPL, has been called up for the first time. Alongside Yadav, Brar, and Dubey also found their place in the ODI squad as well. Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya returned to the format, with Dhruv Jurel, Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant, Harshit Rana, and Mohammed Siraj, who all featured in New Zealand in January, were left out.

The Test match will begin in New Chandigarh on June 6, followed by three ODIs in Dharamsala, Lucknow, and Chennai on June 14, 17, and 20.

Sri Lanka have indefinitely postponed a six-match white-ball series against Afghanistan that was due to start in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this week, an official said on Monday.

“We had to cancel because of the flight situation… and the ongoing fighting in the region,” a Sri Lanka Cricket official told AFP.

The teams were scheduled to play three T20 internationals in Sharjah on March 13, 15 and 17, and three one-day internationals in Dubai on March 20, 22 and 25.

It would have been the first time that Afghanistan had hosted Sri Lanka for a bilateral series.

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Fighting has spread across the Middle East since the United States of America (UAE) and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, with Tehran launching retaliatory strikes.

The conflict has disrupted flights across the region, including in Dubai, where the airport was briefly closed on Saturday as Iran fired drones and missiles at targets across the Gulf.

War-ravaged Afghanistan has never hosted an international cricket match, instead having to play its home fixtures in India or the UAE.

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Afghanistan replaced Rashid Khan with Ibrahim Zadran as skipper Thursday for the T20I series against Sri Lanka but are still monitoring the situation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to stage the matches.

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said Zadran’s appointment is in alignment for future build-up.

“In alignment with the ACB’s long-term strategic vision and following recent changes in our team management, we have made the thoughtful decision to appoint Zadran as new T20I skipper,” ACB said in a statement.

Hashmatullah Shahidi will continue to lead the team in the ODI series, which follows the T20Is.

The series begins with three Twenty20 internationals in Sharjah on March 13, 15, and 17 before the ODIs are played in Dubai on March 20, 22, and 25.

Afghanistan crashed out in the first round of the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka after losing to South Africa and New Zealand.

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As a fall out, fast bowler Fazal Haq Farooqi, all-rounder Gulbadin Naib, and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Ishaq have been left out from both the squads, the release said.

Afghanistan’s head coach, Jonathan Trott, also left the post after completing his tenure, with another Englishman, Richard Pybus, taking over.

ACB said it was constantly monitoring the situation in the UAE before making a final decision.

“We are closely monitoring the ongoing situation in the region and a final decision will be made in a couple of days,” ACB said.

“Should circumstances necessitate a change, the ACB will consider exploring alternative options for both the host country and the event schedule.”

Afghanistan’s T20I Squad:

Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Noor Rahman, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Abdullah Ahmadzai

Afghanistan’s ODI Squad:

Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ikram Alikhil, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, AM Ghazanfar, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Bilal Sami

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CHENNAI: Tim Seifert produced a match-winning knock as New Zealand chased down a challenging target to secure a five-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.

Pursuing a daunting 183-run target, the Blackcaps reached the finish line with five wickets in hand and 13 balls to spare, overcoming an early collapse with a composed and aggressive middle-order effort.

New Zealand endured a shaky start when Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck twice in the second over, dismissing Finn Allen for 1 and Rachin Ravindra for a duck on consecutive deliveries, leaving the visitors reeling at 14-2 in just 1.4 overs.

Under pressure, Glenn Phillips joined Seifert at the crease, and the pair launched a strong counterattack, stitching together a brisk 74-run stand for the third wicket.

Phillips played fluently for his 42 off 25 balls, hitting seven fours and a six, before Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan broke the partnership in the 10th over.

Seifert, however, continued to dominate and built another crucial 36-run partnership with Mark Chapman.

The wicketkeeper-batter top-scored with a superb 65 off 42 deliveries, striking 10 boundaries, including three sixes, before departing as New Zealand closed in on the target.

Afghanistan fought back again when Chapman fell for a quick 28 off 17 balls in the 16th over, leaving New Zealand needing 28 runs.

But Daryl Mitchell and captain Mitchell Santner held their nerve, guiding the side home with an unbeaten 33-run stand off just 13 deliveries.

Mitchell finished unbeaten on 25 from 14 balls, while Santner contributed a handy 17 not out from eight deliveries to seal the victory.

For Afghanistan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi chipped in with one scalp each.

Earlier, Gulbadin Naib smashed a brisk half-century to guide Afghanistan to a competitive 182-6.

Opting to bat first, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan saw his decision rewarded as his side recovered strongly from an early wobble to post a challenging total on the board.

Afghanistan began cautiously, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran adding 35 runs in the opening five overs.

However, Lockie Ferguson swung momentum back in New Zealand’s favour by removing both openers in the same over, reducing Afghanistan to 44/2.

Zadran managed 10 off 12 balls, while Gurbaz contributed 27 from 22 deliveries, including two fours and a six.

With the innings at a delicate stage, Gulbadin Naib joined forces with Sediqullah Atal to rebuild.

The pair stitched together a crucial 79-run partnership for the third wicket, stabilising the innings and setting the platform for acceleration.

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Atal’s composed knock of 29 came to an end in the 15th over, but Naib continued to dominate the bowlers.

The experienced all-rounder then shared a quick 33-run stand with Darwish Rasooli before falling in the 18th over to Rachin Ravindra.

Naib top-scored with a fluent 63 off 35 balls, striking four boundaries and three sixes in an innings that shifted the contest in Afghanistan’s favour.

Rasooli followed soon after, dismissed by Matt Henry for a brisk 20 off 13 balls, which included a four and a six.

In the closing stages, Mohammad Nabi (10*) and Azmatullah Omarzai (14) provided late momentum with an 18-run partnership off just 11 deliveries, ensuring Afghanistan finished strongly.

For New Zealand, Ferguson was the pick of the bowlers with 2/40 from his four overs, while Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry and Ravindra claimed a wicket each.

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CHENNAI: Afghanistan have won the toss and elected to bat first against New Zealand in the fourth match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.

PLAYING XIs

New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), James Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy

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Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (capt), Fazalhaq Farooqi, Ziaur Rahman, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

HEAD TO HEAD

Afghanistan and New Zealand have faced each other twice in T20I cricket, with both their meetings coming at the T20 World Cup.

The Kiwis clinched victory in the 2021 edition, while Afghanistan returned the favour in 2024.

Matches 2, New Zealand 1, Afghanistan 1

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Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz has withdrawn from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, just days after being announced as a direct signing by Peshawar Zalmi.

The wicketkeeper batter from Afghanistan confirmed the development via video message posted on Instagram.

Speaking in his native Pashto, he cited scheduling commitments following the T20 World Cup and personal responsibilities at home as the reasons behind his unavailability.

“After the World Cup, I won’t be available for the PSL this season due to my schedule,” Gurbaz said. “I will be focusing more on my foundation work in Afghanistan. Thank you for all the love and support.”

The 2017 PSL champions Peshawar Zalmi had officially announced the signing of the Afghan batter on 5 February, sharing a graphic of Gurbaz in traditional attire against a mountainous backdrop on their social media platforms. The franchise did not disclose the financial details of the deal.

However, the 22-year-old’s withdrawal means he will not feature in PSL 11, which is set to begin later this month.

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Since making his international debut in 2019, Gurbaz has established himself as a key figure in Afghanistan cricket. He has represented his country in two Tests, 52 One-Day Internationals and 83 T20 Internationals, earning a reputation as an aggressive opening batter.

Gurbaz is also a familiar name on the global franchise circuit, having played in major leagues including the Indian Premier League (IPL), Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Caribbean Premier League (CPL), SA20, and ILT20.

In the Pakistan Super League, Gurbaz has featured in three seasons, turning out for Multan Sultans in 2021 and Islamabad United in 2022 and 2023. Across 15 PSL matches, he has scored 318 runs at an average of 22.71, including one half-century.

His absence from PSL 11 leaves Peshawar Zalmi with a late decision to make as teams finalise their squads under the league’s new auction-based system.

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